Winter School Holiday fun on the Central Coast

The Central Coast is more than a destination, it's a place that is thriving with activities and experiences, makers and creators and busy eateries.  Kids, of all ages, can enjoy themselves these Winter school holidays making memories to last a lifetime and adventures that will make you want to come back again and again. 

There is plenty to do which means there shouldn't be a dull moment or the murmur of the words 'I'm bored' in your school holiday break. Kids will love the variety of classes, camps and workshops to try and explore! Take a read below of just some of the things to do during the Winter school holidays on the Central Coast.

After all that exhaustion, the kids will be famished so check out our kids eat free guide and deals page for some great special offers.

Don't forget to see the rest of the region's events, there are 100's to take your fancy! 

Pelican Time

Come and learn all about the local pelicans. Pelican Time is a education talks are lead by Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast and cover interesting facts on pelicans, including care and rescue of pelicans in the wild, plus ways that we can all help protect pelicans and their environment by being waste wise when fishing and visiting this area. The talks are on everyday during the school holidays at Pelican Plaza, The Entance at 3:30pm. 

Rockpool Rambles

Discover what is hiding in the rocks pools in Bateau Bay, you'll be amazed what is there! Join a Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre guide who will take you on an exciting marine adventure teaching you about the creatures that live in these fascinating pools. You love being a marine biologist for the day! 

Gosford Steam Weekend

The largest steam locomotive in the Southern Hemisphere returns to the Central Coast. Enjoy a one hour steam ride on former Locomotive 6029 departing Gosford and travelling toe Berrowa and back. Bring the whole family on the 6 and 7 July and take a ride on a vintage steam train! 

The Giving Farm

Come along for an extra special farm experience and get up and close with the farm animals.  The Giving Farm is a hands-on farm where kids will meet babydoll sheep, feed the lambs, hang out with feather friends, collect eggs including blue ones, meet a gaggle of geese, be udderly amazed by the cows and play plenty of farm games.  A very busy morning at a certified organic farm! Farm animal cuddle, pat and feed experiences are on from the 7 July throughout the holidays starting at 10am in Jilliby.  Bookings essential.  

Whale Treasure Hunt at Bouddi 

You'll have a whale of time as a junior whale watcher! Meet at Putty Beach picnic area on Tuesday 12 July at 10am and walk along part of the specular Bouddi Coast walk to Gerrin Point Lookout. Bring binoculars and record your sightings on your whale treasure hunt card!  Your National parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) will tell you all about their migration and how they survive on their mammoth journey! This wonderful educational and fun tour will last 2 hours and is free. More information here. 

Wyrrabalong Aboriginal cultural tour

Join this special tour with an Aboriginal guide and learn about this exceptional park that hosts the last patch of coastal rainforest on the Central Coast on Monday 8 July. You'll hear cultural stories and learn how every aspect of this beautiful land continues to hold deep significance to its Traditional Owners. Your guide will share wisdom passed through generations, including how the amazing variety of native plants are utilised for food, shelter and medicinal purpose. Book your tickets here. 

Brisbane Water Aboriginal cultural tour

Gain a unique insight into the wisdom of the world’s oldest living culture as you explore Brisbane Water National Park, led by an Aboriginal ranger. Starting at Warrah lookout, you’ll go on a guided walk and discover the amazing variety of plants that Aboriginal people used for food, shelter and medicinal purposes. Book your tickets here. 

Free Whale watching talks at Crackneck Point Lookout

Crackneck Point Lookout in Bateau Bay is one of several prime vantage points for spotting Humpback whales as they migrate past our coastline. Join whale expert, Jeannie Lawson, for an interactive and informative 45-minute talk about these huge mammals and try to spot some from the lookout. Jeannie's presentations will be held at 10:30am,11:30am and 12:30pm on 17 July 2024. No bookings are necessary - just turn up with your binoculars! Find out more here.

International Ice Hockey Cup

Watch USA and Canada battle it out on the ice these school holidays. Erina Ice Arena will play host to these incredible teams featuring Pro and ex-NHL ice hockey players. Get your tickets, there are only 4 games (6, 7, 13 and 14 July) so be quick. Now the only question is, who will you be supporting? Team USA or Team Canada? 

Breakfast with the Koalas

On 20 and 21 July enjoy a magical experience by starting your day with breakfast with the Koalas! The Koala breakfast at Amazement Farm in Wyong Creek gives you the special opportunity to have personal koala keeper presentation, take photos with one of the koalas and enjoy a delicious hot and cold buffet breakfast. 

Meliora Farm

Pick your own citrus fruit in the middle of winter! Add some colour into those wintery days with bursts of oranges and yellows when you visit Meliora Farm for their pick your own days! The farm gates open at 10am at Peats Ridge and for just $30 you can fill a bag (provided by the farm shed) of delicious citrus, which is approx 12kg of fruit! You if haven't experienced fruit picking or if you are a seasonal picker, this is such a fun activity the whole family will love! 

Budgewoi Hotel

Come along to the Budgewoi Hotel for school holiday fun at 12pm. Activities including reptile shows, Bluey and Bingo fun, pony rides and more! Parents can sit and relax while the kids have a ball of time!

Davistown RSL Club

Let the kids experience the brilliance of a silent cinema at Davistown RSL Club on Friday 12 July. The Mitchells vs The Machines will be playing at 6:30pm but before the movie starts, there will be a chance to make a robot! The fun starts at 5pm and the kids will be given a set of LED headphones with each ticket sold. Tickets are $10 each and don't forget to bring a pillow and blanket!

Iris Lodge Alpacas

Have you ever had breakfast with Alpacas in the Hinterland? It's a wonderful experience but before you still down to enjoy your breakfast, you'll get to hand feed the 80+ alpacas, some sheep and angus cattle their breakfast. You will get to experience your breakfast with an audience of llamas and alpacas! Check Iris Lodge Alpaca's website for times and dates. Tickets from $55.

Australian Reptile Park

Experience the Winter Wonderland at the Australian Reptile Park these holidays. Meet and greet cute, cuddly and scale animals and learn all about your favourite animals at the live keeper talks. If that wasn't enough enjoy the frozen fun around the park. Glide across the ice on the ice rink, hop inside a giant inflatable snow globe, race through the winter maze, enjoy eating colourful snow cones! Witness some of the world's deadliest snakes and spiders up close at the Venom Show or get a front row seat to watch Australia's most crankiest saltwater croc Elvis during the Elvis Show! 

Bungee Fitness

Located in Tuggerah, the first Bungee Fitness studio in NSW is for all those thrill seekers who love to fly high and test their abilities! Running most days during in the July school holidays (check website for times), kids will get to have a go at the aerial silks, hoop, trapeze and even try aerial yoga using all the awesome anti-gravity apparatuses. The fun costs $25 and parents are encouraged to book a lesson have a go too! 

Roundabout Circus

Elevate your circus skills this holiday season and dive into a half days or full days of tumbling, juggling and aerial skills! With classes for beginners and those with experience, Roundabout Circus have several workshops for kids, teens and youth to embrace fun and playful challenges.

Gosford Golf Club

For budding junior golfers nad those wanting to learn the art of golfer, Gosford Golf Club are holding a winter golfing clinic where you will received PGA coaching on the course and in the TrackMan simulator room. The workshop include lunch and morning tea! All abilities welcome! 

Sloties Slot Car Racing Centre

Bring the kids along to Sloties Slot Car Racing Centre in Charmhaven for some serious slot car racing fun! Keep your car on the track, race your opponents and walk out with a big smile on your face! Open from Wednesday to Sunday in the winter holiday, drivers get 1 hour of track time, a rental car and controller for just $10!

Motiv8sports 

High energy and loads of fun, Motiv8sports is designed for kids and keeping them on their toes during the holidays with their multi-sport day camps.  The camp allows kids to challenge themselves, make new friends and try a range of tam sports! With locations across the coast including St Eddies East Gosford, Central Coast Adventist School and Green Point Christian College and other locations across the Central Coast the kids will definitely want to be part of this camp. Bookings essential.

Erina Ice Arena

What feels more wintery than ice skating! Erina Ice Arena's school camp teaches kids to skate in small groups, play supervised games and enjoy free play/skate. Perfect for beginners and a great head start into the term time programs. Kids will be split into age groups, 7-15 years will participant in a progressive classis to challenge themselves and build their skills while the younger children aged between 3-6 will enter the playgroup class full of fun activities that assist with building their confidence on the ice. The Cutting Edge Café offers $10 lunchtime meals options for hungry skates after their session

Glenworth Valley

For the adventurers aged between 7-16 years old, the Adventure Max School Holiday Camp will keep kids excited, active and challenged. The Glenworth Valley Winter Camp includes 1.5 hours of either horse riding or quad bike riding (12 years or older), 2.5 hours of abseiling, lunch and games and 2 hours of laser skirmish. The camp promises a lot of fun, a place to make new friends and lungs full of fresh air!  The camp starts at 8.30am – 4.00pm. Tickets book quickly for this experience.

Treetops Adventure

Swing and climb through the treetops of eucalyptus trees in Ourimbah State Forest at the Treetops Adventure Park. Challenge yourself on the adults and kids tree rope courses and get your adrenaline pumping as you take on the walkways and put your coordination and balance to the test!

Maccoa Terrigal

Create, cook and consume your very own pizza these school holidays with Maccoa. Kids get to decorate their own individual pizzas with all their favourite toppings and take home their yummy creation for lunch. While the pizza is cooking, they will be decorating their pizza box. Classes are available 11, 12, 18 and 19 July from 10am noon and cost $15 per child for 3-12 year olds. Parents must stay on site. Bookings are essential. 

Chocolate Factory

Throughout the holidays, The Factory is holding yummy junior chocolatier workshops where young chocolate enthusiasts can learn how chocolate and delicious chocolatey sweets are made! For 1 hour, the kids can have fun getting messy with the tasty stuff. Check website for dates and times. There is also a Kids High Tea where kiddies can indulge in hot and cold treats to tickle their taste buds as they enjoy their first High Tea!

Paint a skateboard with artist Grant Molony

For skateboard loving kids and those with an artist flare, book your spot at Bay Rd Brewing in Gosford to join guest local artist Grant Molony to paint your own skateboard! Kids will love this workshop but what's more, adults are welcome to join the fun too! The workshops includes snacks, drinks and at the skateboard deck! Stay afterwards and enjoy a beer in the garden. Book your tickets and pop Sunday 14 July in your calendar.

My Little Plant

Learn the art of textured art with a My Little Plant workshop to get little minds in creative mode. The workshops include a 30cm x 30cm blank floating frame canvas and all the materials your child needs to create a masterpiece. The classes are in Toowoon Bay and there are numerous dates on throughout the school holidays. 

Glass Slipper Parties

There is so much happening at Glass Slipper Parties the kids will never have a dull moment during the school holidays! From princesses in the park, magical fairy mornings and Christmas in July at the park, there really is something for every little person! All activities are happening at Parklife Coffee in Terrigal.

Camp Code

For all budding vloggers, gamers, vloggers and content creators, Camp Code's 2 day workshops will harness kids' creativity as they learn about robotics, Minecraft and Roblox They will be shown all things coding! of The camp is on 18 and 19 July from 9:00am-3:30pm at Central Coast Adventist School, Erina.

House of Ellery

From mini preserved flower workshops, soap making, beaded keyrings and textured art camps, there is so much variety at House of Ellery. All classes are fun allowing creative minds to explore the art of their chosen workshop! Adults can check out the ramge of other classes too, there is something for everyone here! 

Pullman Magenta Shores

For guests staying at Pullman Magenta Shores Resort, there is loads of activities to keep the kiddies busy these school holidays. With entertainment, balloon twisting, face painting, movie afternoons, doughnut and cupcake decorating workshops and not to mention pizza making and firepit and marshmallow evenings, the kids will love having so much to do to keep them occupied. 

Mecure Kooindah Waters

Kids can join the fun at Kooindah Waters during the July school holiday and take part in loads of fun and entertaining events.

Gosford Regional Gallery, Central Coast libraries, theatres and leisure centres

The Central Coast theatre, gallery, libraries and leisure centres are hosting a huge range of workshops and activities for the kids and teens this winter school holidays. From sculpture and art classes, Lego challenges, animation workshops, theatre shows, story time and more. Check out what is on here and be sure to pre-book your tickets, many of which are free!